More to See Here

April 2017

More to See Here is a public art proposal that explores how to make visible the pluralities that have inhabited the space. The project considers the question: can the Renée Levesque garden serve as a bridge between public and private?

The installation focuses on three distinct moments in time through visualizing its inhabitants. In 1905, soon after opening, the Motherhouse accommodated 1059 residents including the nuns themselves, orphans, the elderly, and abandoned children. By 2013, after Concordia University had already purchased the property, that number had significantly dropped to 136 nuns. Today, 601 students live in the residence from September to April. The leaves of the trees depict the number of residents on the site throughout these three time periods. The image of each tree growing is projected on the acrylic panels. This further animates the space encouraging use at night.

This large-scale intervention bridges public and private space by providing different perspectives on this unique site throughout the day and night. It encourages users to reflect on the immense number of people who have inhabited the space, and those that will come after. A greater understanding of the experiences of those who have inhabited particular spaces is important for cultivating equitable environments. More to See Here aims to be a catalyst for a greater understanding of the experiences this site has held.